Container for dispensing a heated fluid

ABSTRACT

A container adapted to heat and dispense material comprises a container ( 1 ) which defines a first compartment ( 3 ) adapted, in use, to be filled with the material requiring heating, such as epilatory wax, and a second compartment ( 9 ) adjacent to the first compartment and separated therefrom by a dividing wall ( 8 ). The container ( 1 ) has an inlet to the second compartment ( 9 ) in the outer wall thereof which is closeable by a plug or stopper ( 10 ). In use, the second compartment ( 9 ) is filled with a heated liquid, such as warm water, to heat the material in the first compartment ( 3 ), so that it can be applied to a site through an applicator ( 12 ).

This application is a Division of Ser. No. 09/937,050, filed Sep. 9,2001 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,363.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container and, more particularly, toa container provided with integral means for facilitating warming ofmaterial inside it, prior to dispensing thereof.

It is known to provide epilatory wax in a bottle or container fittedwith an applicator to allow direct application of the wax to the skin.However, the wax must be warmed before it can achieve sufficientviscosity to pass through the applicator and be spread on. One way ofwarming the wax is to stand the container in hot water. Another is toplace the container in a microwave oven. Neither technique is entirelysatisfactory.

Standing the container in hot water is relatively safe. The wax, whichcan burn at a temperature of above 57° C., is unlikely to be overheatedprovided that the water is not too hot. However, the container becomeswet which is messy and can make it difficult to handle. Moreover, avessel to hold the hot water may not always be readily to hand.

Heating the wax in a microwave oven is not very satisfactory from asafety point of view. Great care must be taken to ensure that the wax isnot overheated. This is not always easy as microwave ovens have atendency to cause localised hot spots in the material being heated.Furthermore, the power output and efficiency of microwave ovens can varysignificantly from one to another. It will be readily understood that itis undesirable to allow the possibility of overheating in any materialwhich is to be applied directly to the skin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container providedwith integral means for facilitating warming of its contents, therebyobviating or at least mitigating the problems described hereinabove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a container forheating material within it and for dispensing said material once heated,the container comprising:

-   (a) a first compartment for location of the material; and-   (b) a second compartment for receiving a hot liquid, the second    compartment being isolated from the first compartment such that    liquid in the second compartment and material in the first    compartment cannot mix, the second compartment being in thermal    communication with the first compartment;-   wherein the second compartment has an opening in the form of an    inlet for the introduction of the hot liquid, the inlet having a    removable closure; and-   wherein the first compartment has an opening in the form of a    restricted outlet adapted for prolonged dispensing of heated    material, the outlet having a removable closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a container accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a containeraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a containeraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a containeraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a containeraccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a containeraccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

The volume of the first compartment is preferably not so great, havingregard to the volume of the second compartment, that the material in thefirst compartment cannot be heated to the particular extent required.Preferably, the ratio of the volume of the second compartment to thevolume of the first compartment is at least 1:2, preferably at least1:1.

The container of the present invention is intended for use withmaterials which need to be thermally modified by heating before use.

Examples of materials which need to be heated prior to use includepersonal or cosmetic materials such as epilatory waxes or facial masks;cleaning materials such as shoe or furniture waxes; pharmaceuticalmaterials such as creams for the relief of joint pain; and volatilematerials, for example containing an insecticide, or a deodorant,fragrance or other air freshener.

In one useful embodiment the first compartment may contain, in use, avolatile liquid which is to be evaporated.

In another, preferred, embodiment the first compartment may contain, inuse, a solid or a viscous liquid (which terms together include pastes,waxy solids, semi-solids and gels) which is to be heated to provide aflowable liquid.

In an especially preferred embodiment the first compartment may contain,in use, an epilatory wax.

As used in the present specification, the term “wax” refers generally toany material which is used for the removal of hair from the body, andwhich is initially heated and is then applied to the body in a generallymolten state, allowed substantially to solidify and be removed from thebody with the unwanted hair. Thus, the term includes both true waxes andother materials suitable for epilation, such as compositions based onresins or compositions based on sugars, in particular glucose.

The hot liquid for thermally modifying the material is preferably hotwater, for example from a hot tap or kettle. In order to warm thematerial, hot water is poured into the second compartment. Over a periodof time the heat from the hot water transfuses to the material in thefirst compartment.

According to one aspect of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, a dividing wall extends between and is connected to the outerwalls of the container, thereby dividing the container into twoside-by-side or two end-to-end compartments.

According to another aspect of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, a dividing wall is in the form of a body which extendslongitudinally into the container from the outer wall thereof, theinterior of the body defining one of the first and second compartments,and the space between the outer surface of the body and the innersurface of the container forming the other.

Where the said first compartment is formed by the interior of the saidbody, preferably the end thereof connected to the outer wall of thecontainer is provided with said opening to the compartment, and theopposite end is closed. Preferably the body is removable from thecontainer. Preferably the act of removing the body from the containeropens the opening to the other compartment. Thus, the body, whichpreferably constitutes the first compartment, may serve as the removableclosure of the second compartment.

Conveniently, the container is comprised of a base, four side walls orone cylindrical side wall, and a top, and the said inlet to the body isat the top or the base of the container.

The restricted outlet may be in the form of an applicator adapted toapply a film of heated liquid material to a surface. The applicator maycomprise a narrow elongate slot in the top or the base of the containerthrough which the material can be expressed. Conveniently, the removableclosure thereof is provided with a narrow elongate tongue on the insidethereof which engages in the slot to seal it. More preferably, theapplicator may comprise a roller ball.

The applicator is preferably removable, thereby to permit removal of thefirst compartment so that, for example, it can be replaced by a refill.

Alternatively, the material could be removed from the device by means ofa pump spray, trigger spray or automatic valve. An automatic valve, oreven a simple opening, would be useful when the material is a materialto be vaporized, for example an air freshener or an insecticide.

The material used to form the thermal communication between the firstand second compartments is suitably a good conductor and is preferably ametal (for example aluminium). Alternatively it could be a plasticsmaterial, for example polyethylene. The material used to form the outerwall of the container is preferably a poor conductor and is preferably aceramic material or a plastics material, for example polypropylene. Alayer of thermal insulation may surround or be provided in the outerwall of the container.

Conveniently, heat sensitive means may be provided to indicate when thematerial in the first compartment has reached a desired temperature. Forexample a heat sensitive strip may be provided on or within the outerwall of the body defining the first compartment, the strip therebyindicating when the temperature of the material contained therein hasreached the desired temperature.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided a container for heating material within it and for dispensingsaid material once heated, the container comprising:

-   (a) a first compartment containing the material, the material at    ambient temperature being a solid or a liquid and at an elevated    temperature being a liquid or a vapour (in the case of a solid at    ambient temperature) or a less viscous liquid or a vapour (in the    case of a liquid at ambient temperature);-   (b) a second compartment for receiving a hot liquid, the second    compartment being isolated from the first compartment such that the    hot liquid and the material cannot mix, the second compartment being    in thermal communication with the first compartment;-   wherein the second compartment has an opening in the form of an    inlet for the introduction of the hot liquid, the inlet having a    removable closure; and-   wherein the first compartment has an opening in the form of a    restricted outlet adapted for prolonged dispensing of the heated    material within it, the outlet having a removable closure.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of dispensing a heated material from a container asdefined herein, containing hot water as the heating liquid in the secondcompartment.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a kit comprising a container as defined herein and at least onerefill of said material contained within a body which, when in use inthe container, comprises the first compartment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown acontainer comprising an outer wall 1 having an inverted, generallyU-shaped cross-section; thus being of generally tubular shape. A layerof thermal insulation (not shown) may be provided in or surround outerwall 2. A heat-sensitive strip (not shown) may be provided on the outerwall 1. the circular bottom of the outer wall 1 is closed by apress-fitted closure member 2 to define a compartment 3. The closuremember 2 comprises a first generally annular outer section 4 having afirst locating member 5 at its edge and a second locating member 6disposed radially inwardly of the first locating member. Both locatingmembers 5 and 6 are annular and between them define a groove in whichthe free edge of the sidewall 7 of the outer wall 1 is received andsecured. The closure member 2 also comprises an inner generally tubularsection 8 which is open at the end adjoining the end remote therefrom.The inner section 8 extends into the compartment 3 and thereby forms ofitself a second compartment 9 therein. The compartment 3 of thecontainer is filled with material prior to fitting the closure member 2to the outer wall 1. In order to accommodate the tubular inner section8, the compartment 3 is only partially filled with material prior to theintroduction of the tubular inner section.

The open end of the second compartment 9 is closed by a cap 10. The cap10 is provided on its inwardly facing surface with annular locatingmeans 11 which engages in the open end of the inner section 8 and formsa press fit therewith. The cap 10 covers the entire area of the bottomof the container and is flat, so that the container may be stood on it,in the orientation shown in FIG. 1.

A narrow elongate slot 12 is provided in the top of the outer wall 1through which material contained in the compartment 3 can be expressed.To prevent unwanted expression of the material before or after use, theslot 12 is covered by a push on/pull off cap 13. The cap 13 has a tongue14 which projects from the inner surface thereof to engage in the slot12 and close the same.

In use, the outer compartment 3 contains a material, typically epilatorywax, which must be warmed through before use. In the case of epilatorywax it must be warmed through so that it can achieve the requiredviscosity to be applied to the user's skin.

In order to warm the material, the cap 10 is removed to open the inletto the inner compartment 9. The inner compartment 9 is then filled withhot water and the cap 10 replaced. Over a period, of time heat from thehot water in the inner compartment 9 transfuses through the wall of theinner section 8 to warm the wax in the outer compartment 3. Once the waxhas achieved the required temperature and attained a sufficientviscosity, it then can be expressed through the slot 12 onto the user'sskin.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shownanother container according to the present invention. In its essentialrespects this embodiment is identical to the embodiment describedhereinabove with reference to FIG. 1. In this regard, it comprises anouter compartment 3 which is adapted in use to be filled with material,and an inner compartment 9 which is adapted, in use, to be filled withhot water to warm the material in the outer compartment 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the inner compartment 9 is formed bymoulding an inwardly extending tubular section 20 into the base 21 of avessel-shaped component 22. The tubular section 20 is open at the endthereof adjoining the base 21 and closed at the end which is remotetherefrom. A removable cap 23 is provided to allow the inner compartment9 formed by the tubular section 20 to be closed.

The upper, open end of the vessel-shaped component 22 is closed by aclosure member 24. As shown in the drawing, the closure member 24 isprovided with an aperture within which is mounted a cylindrical roller25 to facilitate application of the material contained within the outercompartment 3 to a surface. However, it will be understood that thecylindrical roller 25 can be replaced by a single elongate narrow slotin the manner as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1, or by aball roller.

It will be understood that, in the manufacture of the embodiment of FIG.2, the container is filled with material through the open top end of thevessel-shaped component 22 with the closure member 24 removed. Oncefilled, the closure member 24 is put in place, for example by snapfitting.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown yet another container 30embodying the present invention, consisting of a base 31, side walls 32and a top 33; the base, side walls and top together defining a generallycuboid-shaped container. The container 30 is divided into two separatecompartments 34 and 35 by a dividing wall 36. The dividing wall 36 isconnected to and extends between the side walls 32 of the container.

An applicator in the form of a cylindrical roller 37, identical to thatshown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, is mounted in the top 33 of thecontainer 30. The upper compartment 35 is filled with material prior tofitting the top 33.

In use, the base 31 is removed and the lower compartment 34 is filledwith hot water. The base is then snap-fitted back onto the side walls ofthe compartment 34. Alternatively, the base 31 may be provided with aremovable stopper (not shown) for the purpose of filling the compartment34 with hot water. Heat from the hot water transfuses through thedividing wall 36 to warm the material in the compartment 35. Once thematerial has been warmed sufficiently, it can be used.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown analternative embodiment of the invention comprising a generallycylindrical container 40. The container 40 is provided with a top wall41 having a circular central opening. The top wall 41 has an outerdownwardly depending skirt 42, extending around its periphery, adownwardly depending rib 43 slightly inwardly spaced from the skirt 42,and an inner downwardly depending skirt 44 around the central opening.On the inner cylindrical face of the inner skirt there is an annular rib46. The upper region of the side wall 48 of the container has, facingoutwards, an annular projection 50 and the skirt 42 has, facing inwards,a complementary annular groove 52. Thus, the top wall 41 may besnap-fitted onto the side wall 48 of the container, with the top of theside wall engaged between the skirt 42 and the rib 43, and with theprojection 50 and groove 52 interengaged.

A body 54 of generally cylindrical shape is also provided. The body 54is closed at end 56. For clarity it is shown open at the top 58 but inpractice would be closed by a suitable applicator, for example a rollerball. In use, the body 54 will contain a material which is to be heated,for example an epilatory wax. Adjacent the upper rim of the body 54 isan outwardly facing annular groove 60 which is adapted to engage withthe inwardly facing annular rib 46 formed on the inner skirt.

In use, the container 40 is partly filled with hot water. The body 54containing the material is then snap-fitted into the container by meansof the engagement of the groove 60 of the body 54 and the rib 46 of theinner skirt; the body 54 is then one compartment of the container, andthe remaining volume of the container 40 is the other compartment. Usingthis arrangement, it is possible to provide refills of the materialcontained in body 54 for use with a single container 40. The refills maybe provided with a roller ball fitted or may be supplied without one,the roller ball mechanism itself being removable from the previousrefill, now empty, to be fitted to the next refill.

FIG. 5 shows a container having a lower vessel 63 of somewhat bulbousshape, having a flat bottom 64, and an upper neck 65, ending in a widemouth 66. On its outer face, the neck 65 has an annular rib 68.

Suspended within the vessel is an inner compartment 70, upwardly open,which contains a material to be dispensed by evaporation. The innercompartment widens in the upward direction from a closed or blind bottomwall, and it terminates in an annular flange 72. The flange 72 is ofsize such that it rests on the rim forming the mouth 66.

The third part of the container is a press-on closure part 73. Theclosure part 73 has a central narrow tubular portion 74 whose lower endis close to the surface of the material which is to be evaporated, atthe commencement of evaporation. The upper end of the tubular portion 74is the highest part of the container and the point at which vapourleaves the container. Slightly below that point extends a conicalportion 76 of the closure part. At its lower region the closure part 76is provided with two formations, namely an outer skirt 78 formed on itsinner surface with an annular rib 80 which can slide past rib 68 tosecure the closure part 73 over the mouth of the lower part of thecontainer; and, inboard of the skirt 78, a shorter skirt 82 aligned withthe rim forming the mouth 66 of the vessel, the skirt 82 and rim 66entrapping between them the flange 72 of the inner compartment.

The conical portion 76 is provided with a circular vent 84.

When the container is assembled the aforesaid second compartment is thevolume between the vessel and the inner, first compartment.

In use, to start or accelerate the evaporation of the volatile materialwithin the inner compartment 70, the closure part 73 is first removed.This may be achieved by pressing the closure part in the direction ofthe arrows A, thereby to splay the skirt 78 and disengage the rib 80from the rib 68. The closure part may then be lifted out of the vessel.The inner compartment may then be lifted out and hot water, for examplefrom a hot tap or kettle, may be poured into the vessel, up to a markedlevel which is near but not in the neck 65. The inner compartment 70 isthen replaced and the closure part pressed on. Evaporation of thevolatile material is accelerated as it becomes warm and it will leavethe container as a vapour mainly through the tubular part 74.

Once the volatile material has been exhausted by evaporation the innercontainer may be replaced by a refill.

The volatile material may, for example, be an air freshener and/or aninsecticide.

Closure members, for example simple stoppers, may be provided to blockthe tubular member and the vent 84, should it be wished to interruptemission of the volatile material.

In another embodiment, not shown in the drawings, a device of the typeshown in FIG. 5 is employed, but the tubular member and the vent eachhave a valve. The valve in the tubular member may be a one-way valveopenable in the outflow direction and the vent may have a one-way valveopenable in the inflow direction.

FIG. 6 shows a refillable container adapted to dispense a polish, forexample a shoe polish or a furniture polish. Like the embodiment of FIG.5, the container comprises a main vessel 86 having a base 88 on whichthe container may be stood, and, at its upper end, a neck 90, having anoutwardly-facing annular rib 92. The second part is the innercompartment 93, having a generally tubular wall portion 94, a blindbottom wall 95 and an applicator head 96 at its top end. The upper endof the tubular portion terminates in an outward annular flange 98. Thethird part is a securement cap 100 having an inner annular wall 102aligned with the neck 90 and adapted to entrap, with the neck 90, theflange 98; and an outer skirt 104, extending considerably below theskirt 102, and having an inwardly-directed rib 106 adapted to engagewith the rib 92.

In this embodiment, the material in the inner container is, at ambienttemperature, a waxy or pasty solid, and at a somewhat raised temperaturebecomes a flowable liquid. The applicator head 96 comprises an open-cellfoam 106.

The device of FIG. 6 is used in the manner of the device of FIG. 5. Thesecurement cap 100 is removed by squeezing in the direction of thearrows A. the inner compartment 93 is removed and hot water is pouredinto the outer vessel 86, up to a mark. The inner container is replacedand the cap put onto secure it in place. The arrangement is such thatthe water does not leak from the container even when the container isinverted for application of the polish.

In other embodiments, a brush could be used, instead of the sponge 106.

It will be readily apparent that a container of the present inventionallows a material contained therein to be warmed through very easily.One compartment thereof can be filled with hot water, for example from atap in the user's kitchen or bathroom, creating little or no mess.Significantly, there is little or no risk to the user of the materialbecoming too hot for safe use as is the case with materials heated in amicrowave oven.

1. A container for heating material within it and for dispensing saidmaterial once heated, the container comprising: (a) a first compartmentfor location of the material, and (b) a second compartment for receivinga hot liquid, the second compartment being isolated from the firstcompartment such that liquid in the second compartment and material inthe first compartment cannot mix; the second compartment being inthermal communication with the first compartment; wherein the secondcompartment has an inlet for the introduction of the hot liquid, theinlet having a removable closure; wherein the first compartment has arestricted outlet in the form of an applicator comprising a roller or aroller ball for prolonged dispensing of heated liquid material in thecontainer, the applicator being adapted to apply a film of the materialto a surface, the outlet formed in a removable closure; and whereby thefirst and second compartments are separated by a dividing wall thatextends between and is connected to the outer wall of the container,thereby dividing the container into two end-to-end compartments.
 2. Acontainer as according to claim 1 wherein the applicator is removable,thereby to permit introduction of the material into the firstcompartment.
 3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the applicatorcomprises a narrow elongate slot through which the heated liquidmaterial can be expressed.
 4. A container according to claim 1, whereina layer of thermal insulation surrounds or is provided in the outer wallof the container.
 5. A container according to claim 1, whichadditionally comprises heat indication means to indicate when thetemperature of the material in the first compartment has reached adesired temperature.
 6. A container for heating material within it andfor dispensing said material once heated, the container comprising: (a)a first compartment containing the material, the material at ambienttemperature being a solid or a liquid and at an elevated temperaturebeing a liquid or a vapour (in the case of a solid at ambienttemperature) or a less viscous liquid or a vapour (in the case of aliquid at ambient temperature); (b) a second compartment for receiving ahot liquid, the second compartment being isolated from the firstcompartment such that the hot liquid and the material cannot mix, thesecond compartment being in thermal communication with the firstcompartment; wherein the second compartment has an inlet for theintroduction of the hot liquid, the inlet having a removable closure;wherein the first compartment has a restricted outlet in the form of anapplicator comprising a roller or roller ball adapted for prolongeddispensing of the heated material within it, said outlet formed in aremovable closure; and whereby the first and second compartments areseparated by a dividing wall that extends between and is connected tothe outer wall of the container, thereby dividing the container into twoend-to-end compartments.
 7. A container according to claim 6 wherein thefirst compartment contains epilatory wax.
 8. A method of dispensingheated material from a container as claimed in claim 6 or 7, comprisingthe steps of: introducing hot water into the second compartment; closingthe inlet thereof using its closure; and permitting or causing theheated material within the first compartment to be dispensed through therestricted outlet.